Lucy Tauber Architects was approached to
update the existing 550 capacity Big Chill House venue in Kings Cross, to bring into
keeping with their recently refurbished Bristol and Brick Lane bars. The brief
also required that the premises had a better relationship with the street, and
interior was inclusive and hard-wearing, suitable for all day and reflected the
nature of its music and arts festival roots.

The traditional Victorian pub building had been lost: painted metal
frame windows with tinted glass compromised the building’s character and made
the venue dark and uninviting. The poorly lit double height main space, with
made the main area feel cold and empty and suspended bar obscured the view of
the back bar. Circulation within the buildings was understated and the
basement, mezzanine and 1st floor rooms lacked clear identity and
purpose.

A new timber shopfront improved the building’s
appearance and street-facing counters with Anglepoise fittings, varied seating
and the ‘Mr Messy’ ceiling created a dynamic, unexpected and inclusive main
space, visually connected with the street, mezzanine and dance floor.